House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Senate Banking Chairman Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., each receives pens from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., after she signed the financial regulatory overhaul bill - which passed the Senate earlier today. The House passed the bill June 30. The bill moves to President Obama's desk for his signature before becoming law.

House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., and Senate Banking Chairman Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., each receives pens from House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., after she signed the financial regulatory overhaul bill - which passed the Senate earlier today. The House passed the bill June 30. The bill moves to President Obama's desk for his signature before becoming law.

Witnesses Testify on Kagan Nomination

Scott J. Ferrell

Jack Goldsmith, professor of law at Harvard Law School, Kurt White, president of the Harvard Law Armed Forces Association, Robert C. Clark, professor and former dean of Harvard Law School, Greg Garre, former solicitor general of the United States, Ronald Rotunda, professor of jurisprudence at Chapman University School of Law, Robert Alt, of the The Heritage Foundation, Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and Stephen Presser, professor at Northwestern University School of Law, are sworn in during the Senate Judiciary hearing on President Obama's U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan.

Jack Goldsmith, professor of law at Harvard Law School, Kurt White, president of the Harvard Law Armed Forces Association, Robert C. Clark, professor and former dean of Harvard Law School, Greg Garre, former solicitor general of the United States, Ronald Rotunda, professor of jurisprudence at Chapman University School of Law, Robert Alt, of the The Heritage Foundation, Ed Whelan, president of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and Stephen Presser, professor at Northwestern University School of Law, are sworn in during the Senate Judiciary hearing on President Obama's U.S. Supreme Court nominee Elena Kagan.

New Capital Rules for Banks Are Added to Financial Overhaul Bill

Scott J. Ferrell

During a break in the House-Senate financial regulatory overhaul conference, House Financial Services ranking member Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., second from left in background, and Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., seated at middle, talks to an aide as House and Senate negotiators worked on an agreement on phasing in tougher capital requirements for banks as part of their financial regulatory overhaul legislation. At far right is Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

During a break in the House-Senate financial regulatory overhaul conference, House Financial Services ranking member Spencer Bachus, R-Ala., second from left in background, and Chairman Barney Frank, D-Mass., seated at middle, talks to an aide as House and Senate negotiators worked on an agreement on phasing in tougher capital requirements for banks as part of their financial regulatory overhaul legislation. At far right is Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., during a news conference on tax extenders. The Senate may try again Thursday to advance a package of tax and benefit extensions, but Majority Leader Harry Reid held out little hope that the effort will succeed. ÒIÕve come to the conclusion that the other side doesnÕt want a solution,Ó Reid, D-Nev., said on the floor Thursday morning. He blamed Republicans for killing a long list of now-expired tax and benefit programs that the bill (HR 4213) would revive. ÒThe time to decide is closing in on us. But itÕs not over yet. ItÕs not too late to do what is right.Ó

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., during a news conference on tax extenders. The Senate may try again Thursday to advance a package of tax and benefit extensions, but Majority Leader Harry Reid held out little hope that the effort will succeed. ÒIÕve come to the conclusion that the other side doesnÕt want a solution,Ó Reid, D-Nev., said on the floor Thursday morning. He blamed Republicans for killing a long list of now-expired tax and benefit programs that the bill (HR 4213) would revive. ÒThe time to decide is closing in on us. But itÕs not over yet. ItÕs not too late to do what is right.Ó

New Head of Oil Drilling Regulator Pledges ÔZero Tolerance for CorruptionÕ

Scott J. Ferrell

Michael R, Bromwich, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement - which is the new name for the Minerals Management Service (MMS) - during the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior hearing on the MMS reorganization. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar also testified.

Michael R, Bromwich, director of the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management, Regulation and Enforcement - which is the new name for the Minerals Management Service (MMS) - during the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior hearing on the MMS reorganization. Interior Secretary Ken Salazar also testified.

Bunch of Grapes and Carrot Lobby Congress

Scott J. Ferrell

Bunch-of-grapes Maden Murray, 4, and her sister, carrot Davan Murray - who just turned 6 - pass out plates, with a message attached urging timely passage of a school nutrition bill, to Senate staffers arriving for work at the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The Center for Science in the Public Interest organized the push to get the 'Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act' (S. 3307) to the Senate floor this month. The message glued to each plate, which were red and blue respectively, was headlined, 'Congress has a lot on its plate, but it needs to address what's on kids' plates - now!'

Bunch-of-grapes Maden Murray, 4, and her sister, carrot Davan Murray - who just turned 6 - pass out plates, with a message attached urging timely passage of a school nutrition bill, to Senate staffers arriving for work at the Dirksen Senate Office Building. The Center for Science in the Public Interest organized the push to get the 'Healthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act' (S. 3307) to the Senate floor this month. The message glued to each plate, which were red and blue respectively, was headlined, 'Congress has a lot on its plate, but it needs to address what's on kids' plates - now!'

Senate Balks at Curbing Debate on Financial Overhaul Bill

Scott J. Ferrell

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Banking Chairman Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., during a news conference after their bid to invoke cloture failed on financial overhaul legislation, slowing the measureÕs progress toward passage. Although Maine Republicans Susan Collins and Olympia J. Snowe voted to invoke cloture on the bill (S 3217), Democrats Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Maria Cantwell of Washington split from their party and voted Òno.Ó The final vote was 57-42, shy of the 60 needed to limit debate on the substitute amendment to the package.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Banking Chairman Christopher J. Dodd, D-Conn., during a news conference after their bid to invoke cloture failed on financial overhaul legislation, slowing the measureÕs progress toward passage. Although Maine Republicans Susan Collins and Olympia J. Snowe voted to invoke cloture on the bill (S 3217), Democrats Russ Feingold of Wisconsin and Maria Cantwell of Washington split from their party and voted Òno.Ó The final vote was 57-42, shy of the 60 needed to limit debate on the substitute amendment to the package.

McKeon, House Armed Services Republicans Unveil 'Defend America' Plan

Scott J. Ferrell

House Armed Services ranking member Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon, R-Calif., with other Republicans from the panel previewing ideas - called the 'Defend America' strategy - they will introduce during next week's full committee markup of the defense authorization bill. With him are Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., Rep. Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, and Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo.

House Armed Services ranking member Howard P. 'Buck' McKeon, R-Calif., with other Republicans from the panel previewing ideas - called the 'Defend America' strategy - they will introduce during next week's full committee markup of the defense authorization bill. With him are Rep. J. Randy Forbes, R-Va., Rep. Michael R. Turner, R-Ohio, and Rep. Todd Akin, R-Mo.

Kerry, Lieberman Roll Out Climate Bill

Scott J. Ferrell

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., with business leaders and representatives of interest groups during a news conference unveiling their climate bill, the product of months of negotiations led by Kerry, Lieberman and South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham. According to aides, the bill would reduce U.S. oil imports from OPEC countries 40 percent by 2030 and create millions of new jobs. The legislation is designed to draw broad support from environmentalists as well as business and gain enough Republican backing to fend off a Senate filibuster.

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., and Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman, I-Conn., with business leaders and representatives of interest groups during a news conference unveiling their climate bill, the product of months of negotiations led by Kerry, Lieberman and South Carolina Republican Lindsey Graham. According to aides, the bill would reduce U.S. oil imports from OPEC countries 40 percent by 2030 and create millions of new jobs. The legislation is designed to draw broad support from environmentalists as well as business and gain enough Republican backing to fend off a Senate filibuster.